What do you mean by "no control.cfg" ?
In every player folder a control.cfg is created the first time you enter GPL, otherwise it does not work.
Check out in gpl\players\yourname and you will find it.
If you delete it, when you enter GPL, it asks you to insert the control keys again.
For the steering; just double click on it and push F4 then F5, repeat for throttle and brake with other 2 free F keys and control.ini will be created. You should now be able to drive cars around.
All free function keys should work just fine as input within vanilla GPL (F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F11,F12).